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Here is the original short story, "On the Arrival of the Paddle-Steamer on the Docks of V---” by Peter M. Ball, available at Eclipse Online at Night Shade Books.

The Eclipse original anthology series from Night Shade Books is now available free online www.nightshadebooks.com.

Eclipse Online is a free, online publication. No subscription or sign-up is required. A story is released by Editor Jonathan Strahan every first and fourth Monday of the month and they stay around for a while. Check them out. Each new story will be reviewed separately.

"On the Arrival of the Paddle-Steamer on the Docks of V---" by Peter M. Ball,, was posted on February24, 2013.

Our unnamed narrator and his lover, Patrick, have arrived at V--- because it is one of the places the faeries come to take people. Patrick, 31, and the beautiful one of the pair, wants very much to be taken. They have been other places to make this connection but have not succeeded yet. This is Patrick's last chance.

While Patrick sleeps, a faerie comes to their balcony with an invitation, but not for Patrick. Our unnamed narrator does not want to go, even though he knows he will die soon. He makes a deal with the fey. Nice, poignant story.